If you have been to the last 3 mud runs, you may have noticed a group of runners in bright orange who call themselves “Gavin’s Groupies”.  Gavin’s Groupies are supporters of the Gavin R Stevens Foundation, who help raise awareness and money for LCA Research.

Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (also known as LCA), has affected 2 year old, Gavin.  LCA is a genetic retina disease which causes severe vision impairment. 

Gavin is totally blind, and has been since birth.

Currently there are only 3,000 individuals with LCA in the country.  With this being such a rare disease, Gavin’s Groupies has banned together to raise the necessary awareness, so one day, treatment may be an option for Gavin.  The Stevens family started the foundation to help their son, along with many others.  Their hope is their son may one day life a life outside of total darkness.

The Gavin R Stevens Foundation is the primary beneficiary for the mud run, for all of 2011.   If you would like to learn more, please go to http://www.gavinsfoundation.org and become a Groupie! 

Gavin’s Groupies is also on Facebook, you can see all our pictures getting muddy at the mud runs!We would also like encourage you to participate in our Pledge Program.  If you are a runner of the mud run, will you try to help raise $25,000?  Just ask those around you, to pledge you in the Irvine Lake Mud Run in April, as you get muddy to find a cure for blindness!  It’s that simple!

Please contact Jennifer Stevens for more information:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it